The LSU Tigers football program, representing Louisiana State University, is a powerhouse in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision and the Southeastern Conference, ranking 16th all-time in winning percentage. The team claims four national championships (1958, 2003, 2007, and 2019) and 16 conference titles, with three Heisman Trophy winners: Billy Cannon (1959), Joe Burrow (2019), and Jayden Daniels (2023). The program was born in 1893 when chemistry professor Dr. Charles E. Coates assembled the first squad, which lost its only game that year 34–0 to Tulane—a rivalry that sparked the team's legendary status. Notably, the iconic purple and gold colors were chosen because they were Mardi Gras colors (green was sold out), and the "Tigers" nickname honors the "Fighting Tigers" of the 9th Louisiana Infantry from the Civil War. After earning its first victory in 1894 and going undefeated for an SIAA championship in 1896, the team survived yellow fever outbreaks that shortened seasons in 1897 and 1898. Today, the Tigers play at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge and are currently led by head coach Lane Kiffin.